Meet the Team Capturing the Heart of America’s Fighting Game Scene: Bars, Pizzerias, and Beyond

For many years now, video games have served as a social escapade for countless enthusiasts. The roots of this social interaction trace back to the golden age of arcades. This was before gaming consoles and high-tech PCs lured gamers into their homes, creating a private playground out of what used to be a public space. Nowadays, while venues like LAN centers, gaming cafes, and tournaments still exist, they don’t hold the same central place in the hearts of gamers. Back then, meeting up with someone like Greg, playing Counter Strike Source or Street Fighter II in person, was the norm. Now, Greg’s face has been swapped out with a Clannad avatar on Discord. Oh, how times have shifted.

However, there are those who still crave the joy of face-to-face interaction. There’s a select group for whom gaming becomes truly enjoyable only when shared with fellow gamers who are just a short walk or drive away. As these digital havens gradually fade, a passionate group has taken it upon themselves to capture and celebrate these places through a new video series called Locals Unknown. Their journey kicks off in the basement of a pizza shop in a college town.

I absolutely love this concept, so I had the pleasure of chatting with two key contributors to the project. There’s Victeemo, a pro fighting game player, and Siam, who runs the esports team Kanme Esports. Together with the help of Sol Naciente, a Tekken player, this small team is documenting local scenes and gaming spaces they come across in their travels. It’s a nostalgic nod to classic YouTube, blending the charm of early internet vlogs with travel shows you’d find on TV.

The idea took root when Victeemo began representing Kanme, and he and Siam thought that adding creative content to their appearances at events would spice things up. Siam explained, “When I discussed with Victeemo, we realized we both had a deep passion for the local fighting game community where we started. Local scenes are essential! They’re where newcomers get their start, and they’re situated in such diverse locales.”

Victeemo shares, “At the end of the Tekken World Tour’s first season, I was hunting for sponsors and stumbled upon Kanme. It’s funny how we both came up with Locals Unknown together […] We brainstormed, and Siam said, ‘What if you visit local scenes and document them?’ I thought it was a fantastic idea and a project I truly wanted to dive into.”

He continued, “While I’m mainly a competitor, a role I’ve held since Tekken 7 debuted, my second love is community. It’s thrilling to be part of this journey, and I’m grateful it’s capturing so much attention.”

The footage captured by Victeemo, who hadn’t wielded a video camera before this project, presents these events in their best light. As he records, Siam and Sol Naciente provide support back home by editing. They’re fueled not by corporate funding, but rather a genuine love for the community and a can-do spirit.

The duo shares a common background, similar to many fighting game competitors. Their treasured local scenes — where they honed their skills and forged friendships — have unfortunately closed. Xanadu Games, a beloved Maryland spot for fighters, hosted its last event in December 2024. Siam and Victeemo were there to witness its farewell.

As Victeemo recalls, “There was a local spot called Xanadu, in a tiny building in a business center right outside Baltimore. When the game launched, we’d pack 50 people into that space for monthly locals. It was so cramped you could barely breathe (laugh). That experience drove my competitive ambition and my love for the community.”

Siam added, “Many venues are shutting down. Recently, we lost another haunt — Xanadu Games. Victeemo and I attended its final event. Witnessing these closures inspired us to put existing venues under the spotlight.”

The closures didn’t just inspire Locals Unknown; they’re part of a broader trend. Local fighting game hubs for games like Street Fighter and Tekken have dwindled over the years, replaced by fewer and grander annual events or sometimes nothing at all. For Siam and Victeemo, it’s a challenging time for local fighting communities.

Siam remarked, “It’s a tough moment for local scenes. Online convenience post-2020 is undeniable. Previously, before 2020, places were easy to access. But after that year, online tournaments became the norm, leading venues to shut down due to dwindling attendance. Right now, these local spots are on the decline.”

Victeemo adds, “Many local scenes are shutting their doors. It’s crucial to highlight those trying to draw people out, to help them experience the community and forge new connections, especially compared to the online scene.”

But why do this? Why dedicate a video series and an article to these spaces? For these two, it’s about giving back to the locals where they grew up and shining a light on an environment that meant the world to them.

Victeemo reflects, “My partner and I have been together almost seven years because we met through the community at Xanadu. I’ve made lifelong friends thanks to the fighting scene, something I wouldn’t trade for anything.”

Siam concurs, “Giving back is key. Players should share the stories of where they started. It’s a grassroots narrative. As stars rise, they gain attention and admiration. It’s refreshing to remind everyone, ‘I’m just a player like you, and I began at a local scene like yours.'”

He concludes, “I aim to share the human aspect, beyond buildings and games. It’s about the people who create the community together.”

You can watch the debut episode of Locals Unknown on the Kanme channel, with the next installment in the works. If you appreciate their efforts, show them some love! It’s vital to celebrate the wider gaming culture, particularly the parts facing an uncertain future.